At that moment, their pause allowed those behind them to catch up. Minister Chen of the Ministry of Revenue, seeing them standing still, asked in surprise, "Your Highness Prince Zhao, Junior Guard Meng, why have you stopped?"
Weren't they moving quite swiftly just moments ago? One was charging ahead, the other in hot pursuit—and the one being chased was none other than His Highness Prince Zhao. Tsk, tsk.
Jiang Cihe replied nonchalantly, "It's nothing, merely discussing some matters. Are you not proceeding, Minister Chen?"
"Indeed, indeed," said the Minister of Revenue. "Are Your Highness Prince Zhao and Junior Guard Meng accompanying us?"
Before Jiang Cihe could respond, Cao Jie, Minister of Justice, approached. "Your Highness Prince Zhao, when does Junior Guard Meng intend to join our Ministry of Justice? We need to make preparations."
Hmph, to dare claim he'd make the entire Ministry of Justice lose face! He'd certainly assign this lad a thorny case.
Jiang Cihe looked at Meng Shuping. After a moment's thought, Meng Shuping replied, "How about the day after tomorrow?"
"What? The day after tomorrow?" Cao Jie frowned. "Why such a delay?"
He scoffed at Meng Shuping, "Could it be that Junior Guard Meng, knowing his own limitations, seeks to postpone for a couple of days? Hmph, such matters cannot be resolved by mere procrastination—if one is incapable, one is incapable!"
Meng Shuping nodded in agreement. "Indeed, you are absolutely right."
[Is he getting senile? I already stated in the hall that I couldn't do it, I couldn't do it—they insisted I take the job. Now he's out here mocking me. If he truly doesn't want me at the Ministry of Justice, why didn't he stand his ground with the Emperor?]
[Just knows how to bully the weaker, doesn't he?]
Cao Jie was left speechless by this remark. Seriously, you're a young man—how can you possess no spirit whatsoever? Weren't you reputed to have a fiery temper?
I mocked you so, yet you showed no reaction, merely admitting it outright? How am I to proceed?
Moreover, who was it that claimed to be more capable than anyone in the Ministry of Justice? I was just about to put you in your place, and you've already conceded defeat?
Even though Meng Shuping admitted his incompetence, Cao Jie still felt incredibly frustrated. He opened his mouth, rephrasing his words. "Since Junior Guard Meng acknowledges the futility of delay, why still wait two more days? I believe Junior Guard Meng should go sooner. The Emperor awaits results!"
Meng Shuping immediately said, "No."
Cao Jie said discontentedly, "What now?"
Meng Shuping stated righteously, "The next two days are my days off. I need to rest at home. I can resume duty the day after tomorrow."
Cao Jie said in disbelief, "The Emperor assigns you a task, and you still wish to rest? And who takes two consecutive days off? If you delay the Emperor's orders, can you bear the responsibility?"
Meng Shuping said, exasperated, "The Emperor assigns tasks, but does that mean people are forbidden to rest?"
[What if he is the Emperor? Does that mean he can work people like oxen?]
[Besides, is the Emperor paying my salary? I'm already working for him for free, and he still makes all these demands. Why is he so troublesome?]
"You!" Cao Jie was so incensed he nearly leaped up. Furious, he turned to Jiang Cihe. "Your Highness Prince Zhao, are you truly going to indulge him so?"
Jiang Cihe smiled. "The next two days are indeed his scheduled days off. This was agreed upon between us some time ago. Does Minister Cao wish for me to go back on my word?"
Meng Shuping quickly chimed in, [Precisely, precisely! Let's be clear, alright? I'm not his subordinate. Who is he to order me about? I listen to whoever pays me. If he has the ability, he can pay me then!]
[Gives me nothing and still acts so entitled. How utterly shameless can he be?]
Cao Jie was seething. Suppressing his anger, he said, "What if the Emperor inquires…"
Jiang Cihe said, "Then Minister Cao can simply tell him directly."
Cao Jie was infuriated by their indifferent attitude, but there was nothing he could do. So he merely snorted. "Then I shall expect Junior Guard Meng in two days. I trust Junior Guard Meng will not find any further excuses for delay by then."
Meng Shuping nodded dismissively. "Yes, yes, alright."
[Who knows! The Emperor didn't set a deadline anyway, so why should I rush? Besides, if I do a good job, he won't pay me. Why should I be so enthusiastic? I'll stall as long as I can.]
Just as Cao Jie was about to cup his hands and bid farewell to Jiang Cihe, he heard this. He paused, unable to restrain himself any longer. "If Junior Guard Meng does not come, I shall have no choice but to send someone to fetch him."
Meng Shuping stared in disbelief. [Does he have to be so serious? Didn't he not want me at the Ministry of Justice? Why is he so eager all of a sudden?]
[Oh, oh, I get it. Free labor—might as well use it, right?]
Cao Jie's expression became utterly unreadable. Someone like Meng Shuping—he wouldn't want him even if he were offered. How dare he suggest Cao Jie wanted to use him for free?
But he still felt incredibly frustrated. Earlier, when the Emperor assigned Meng Shuping to the Ministry of Justice, he was angry. But now that Meng Shuping didn't want to come, he was even angrier.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the rising fury, and cupped his hands toward Jiang Cihe. "Your Highness Prince Zhao, I have matters to attend to. I shall take my leave."
If he didn't leave soon, he feared he might start a fight right there in the palace.
Jiang Cihe nodded casually. "Very well, Minister Cao, take care."
Cao Jie turned quickly and hurried away, his retreating figure inexplicably appearing as if in hasty retreat.
Meng Shuping returned to the Military Hall Department with Jiang Cihe, idled away the day, and then went back to the Earl's estate.
Since he had nothing planned for the next two days, he walked along, pondering what to do. Should he go out and explore, or simply lie around at home for two days?
If he went out, it would be rather dull alone, and he didn't know of any interesting places. If he stayed home for two days, it seemed too decadent.
Lost in thought, as he reached a plank bridge, Meng Shuping suddenly saw a young man he had never encountered before walking towards him.
His body stiffened, and he quickly moved aside. However, he was currently on a bridge, and even moving further to the side offered little space.
At the same time, he felt very puzzled. Although there were many brothers in his mansion, why did he feel like he had never seen this person before?
Meanwhile, the young man also arrived in front of Meng Shuping. Meng Shuping initially thought the man would either pass by him or offer a brief greeting and depart. To his surprise, the man stopped directly in front of him.
He subtly glanced at the young man, only to meet his gaze. He instinctively averted his eyes, avoiding the other's scrutinizing look.
But Meng Shuping was very displeased. [What's wrong with this person? I've already made way for him, and he's still not satisfied? Does he want to monopolize the entire path? How rude and unreasonable!]
Yao Qian was stunned. Was that Meng Shuping speaking? He hadn't seen Meng Shuping open his mouth.
He looked him up and down dismissively. Seeing Meng Shuping appear very reserved and rather shabby, he confidently guessed, "You're the illegitimate son the Earl's mansion just found, aren't you?"
Hearing this, Meng Shuping was displeased. He raised his head and said expressionlessly, "Who are you?"
"You might not know this since you just arrived," Yao Qian said, feigning humility but sounding condescending. "My aunt is the Fourth Madame of your mansion."
Meng Shuping said with sudden realization, "Oh, so it's you!"
Seeing Meng Shuping so surprised, Yao Qian couldn't help but show a proud expression. He'd heard before that this illegitimate son, recently found by the Earl's mansion, was brought back from the countryside and was very uncultured. It seemed true.
But just as he thought this, he heard that voice say, [That poor relative whose whole family is mooching off the Earl's mansion?]
[I heard they've been living in my house for years. Why haven't they left yet? How utterly shameless!]
[And it's not like I'm criticizing him, but he's a freeloader who stays by currying favor with the Fourth Madame. How dare he act more arrogant than me, the actual master of the house? I might just kick them out!]
Yao Qian was enraged. Who were these poor relatives mooching off at the Earl's mansion? Who was sucking up to his aunt? Turning red with anger, he snapped, "It was Aunt and the Dowager who practically begged us to stay, otherwise we could have just gone back to our own home."
Meng Shuping didn't understand why Yao Qian was telling him all this, but out of politeness, he humored him, "Oh, I see!"
[Is he truly this dense or just pretending? Polite words are just that—polite. If he takes them seriously, he's just being annoying.]
[Honestly, it's only because the Earl's family is too polite to kick them out that I have to see him strutting around like that.]
Yao Qian held back his anger and said sternly, "It's not like we're living here for free. We pay for our daily expenses."
Meng Shuping nodded, "Ah, so that's how it is!"
[Then why don't they move out? They must have an ulterior motive!]
[Seriously, people who take advantage of others while acting all high and mighty are the worst. It's like being a whore building a monument to her virtue.]
[But I guess it's not surprising. Big families always have a few poor relatives coming to sponge off, but ones as shameless as them are rare!]
Yao Qian never expected to be looked down upon like this. Furious, he couldn't help but boast about his family background, "Our family is a well-established family, not some nobodies from some podunk town. Have you heard of the Yao family of Fengzhou? We've produced several jinshi graduates!"
Meng Shuping nodded blankly, "Ah? Really?"
Seeing that he had finally impressed Meng Shuping, Yao Qian felt a surge of pride. Now he knows how impressive our family is, right?
Just as he was feeling pleased, he heard that voice again, [What Yao family? Never heard of them. They must be from some nowhereville, right? A few jinshi graduates aren't that big a deal.]
[So why haven't they moved out yet?]
Yao Qian was infuriated by Meng Shuping. In the end, he could only blame it on Meng Shuping's rural background and ignorance about prestigious families. He gave Meng Shuping a contemptuous look and said, "Hmph, I heard you just got here and already drove the tutor away? You have no manners!"
Meng Shuping looked at him curiously, "Was that teacher your dad or something?"
Yao Qian was livid, "What nonsense! How could he be my father?"
Meng Shuping asked, puzzled, "If he's not your father, why are you fighting his battles for him?"
"You... you..." Yao Qian's face turned red with rage, "How can you be so rude?"
Meng Shuping explained seriously, "Because I'm from the countryside. I don't know any better."
Yao Qian was left speechless. How could someone be so shameless?
Seeing that he neither spoke nor moved aside, Meng Shuping grew impatient, [Why isn't he moving? And he has the nerve to call me ill-mannered? Look at himself—he has no manners himself. How can he claim to be from a great family? Does he even think before he runs his mouth?]
Yao Qian was fuming. He raised his hand, about to strike, but just as he moved, someone called out, "Cousin?"
He turned around and saw Meng Ziyun approaching with two maids. "Cousin, what are you doing here?"
Seeing Meng Ziyun, Meng Shuping instantly understood, [Wow, now I get it!]
[No wonder he's digging in his heels so stubbornly—he's trying to marry up through the Earl's family. Look at them, cousin and cousin—how convenient, right?]
[Tsk tsk, how old is this girl, and he's already making a move on her? So ruthless! But I have to admit, his plan is clever. With years of working on her, wouldn't he easily win her over?]
Noticing Meng Shuping was also there, Meng Ziyun lifted her chin and said unhappily, "Why are you here?"
Meng Shuping said matter-of-factly, "Because you're blocking the path!"
[Fine, fine, I won't disturb you two, okay? But could you please move out of the way?]
Meng Ziyun retorted defiantly, "Then take another path. Why must you use this one?"
Meng Shuping couldn't help but roll his eyes, [Blocking someone's way and still acting so entitled—unreal. Don't they know 'a good dog doesn't block the path'? Whatever, not worth arguing with this rude young lady. Cousin and cousin—both bad news!]
He turned to leave the way he came, but after taking two steps, he sensed something wrong behind him. Reacting quickly, Meng Shuping sidestepped and saw a figure lunging past him.
Thanks to his dodge, Meng Ziyun missed her target. Since the pond was right beside them, she couldn't react in time and took a dive into the pond.
Yao Qian rushed over, "Cousin!"
As soon as Meng Shuping steadied himself, Yao Qian bumped into him. He tried to regain his balance but, after wobbling unsteadily a few times, ultimately failed and fell into the pond.